Lies of P director says Resident Evil Requiem is one of the games he enjoyed most this year because Leon is "still as cool and tough as ever"

In a recent RPG Site interview, Jiwon Choi – the creative lead behind the souls‑like puppet shooter Lies of P and head of Nough Studio – singled out Resident Evil Requiem as a personal highlight of the past year. The title, which reintroduces Leon Kennedy as a grizzled veteran, impressed Choi not only for its gameplay but also for the meticulous “hot‑uncle” visual overhaul that the female art team insisted upon. This endorsement is notable because Leon has not anchored a mainline entry since the 2012 installment, and his most recent starring role was the 2023 Resident Evil 4 remake. Choi’s comment therefore underscores how a well‑executed legacy character can still generate buzz among developers outside the franchise.

The enthusiasm for Requiem fits a broader industry pattern where established IPs are being refreshed with older, more nuanced protagonists to appeal to both nostalgic fans and newer audiences. Capcom’s decision to age Leon rather than reboot him aligns with similar moves at Ubisoft (e.g., a senior Sam Fisher in the upcoming “New Project”) and at Square Enix, which has been exploring veteran versions of iconic heroes. Meanwhile, Nough Studio is capitalizing on the momentum of the Switch 2 launch, having released a “Complete Edition” of Lies of P for the new hardware and publicly rejecting the notion of a simple “game‑key card” discount, positioning themselves as ardent gamers committed to full‑price, premium experiences.

Looking ahead, Choi’s public admiration for Requiem could translate into cross‑promotional opportunities or stylistic influences for Nough Studio’s upcoming sequel, especially as the studio leans into the Switch 2’s expanded capabilities. However, the reliance on a “hot‑uncle” aesthetic may polarize segments of the player base that prefer traditional hero designs, and the studio’s refusal to offer lower‑cost entry points could limit reach on a platform still gaining market share. Watch for whether Nough Studio integrates any Resident Evil‑style character polish into its next release and how Capcom leverages the positive developer chatter in its marketing pipeline.